Tine cleaning fork

ABSTRACT

This application describes a fork having a tine-cleaner element connected with a spring element mounted from the handle to permit the thumb of the user to push the tine cleaner along the tines and upon release of the pressure the spring element retracts the tine-cleaner element to an inoperative position due to the elasticity of the spring element.

United States Patent Inventor Charles R. Sharpe 1413 Maple Street, Columbia, S.C. 29205 Appl. No. 765,201

Filed Oct. 4, 1968 Patented Aug. 31, 1971 TINE CLEANING FORK 9 Claims, 21 Drawing Figs.

US. Cl 294/50, 30/129 Int. Cl... A01d 9/06 Field of Search 294/50;

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,265,087 5/1918 Johnson 294/50 2,140,911 12/1938 James 294/50 2,521,032 9/1950 Becker 294/50 X 3,233,325 2/1966 Perry 30/129 Primary Examiner-Andres H. Nielsen Attorney-C. Gordon McBride ABSTRACT: This application describes a fork having a tinecleaner element connected with a spring element mounted from the handle to permit the thumb of the user to push the tine cleaner along the tines and upon release of the pressure the spring element retracts the tine-cleaner element to an inoperative position due to the elasticity of the spring element.

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INVENTOR CHARLES R. SHARPE TINE CLEANING FORK This invention relates to a fork and more particularly to a fork having a tine-cleaning mechanism automatically retractable to an inoperative position.

It has been known in the past to provide various means for assisting in removal of material held by the tine on a fork. For example, it is known to use an arm operated by a spring housed within the handle. Each of the previously known forks having some type of tine-cleaning mechanism has generally been of a complicated nature, difficult to operate, unsightly and impossible of sterilization to the extent necessary to avoid any germs remaining. Most of the known forks of this type require some use by both hands.

In order to overcome the disadvantages of the prior art, the present invention contemplates the use of a simple, reliable and easily operated mechanism on a fork that permits easy and rapid removal of any material held by the fork.

It is an object of the instant invention to provide a fork with a simple and reliable tine cleaner.

Another object of the instant invention is to provide a fork with a tine cleaner that is aesthetically appealing and which may be easily and readily sterilized to eliminate any germs remaining after use.

A further object of the instant invention is to provide a fork with a tine-cleaner member which is resiliently urged to a retracted inoperative position by a spring member.

A still further object of the instant invention is to provide a fork having a handle and blade with tines extending therefrom with a tine-cleaner mechanism associated with the titles and connected to a spring member pivotally mounted from the handle of the fork.

A still further object of the instant invention is to provide a spring member having the free ends pivotally mounted from the handle of a fork at different points such that a distortion of the spring member, when the tine cleaner is advanced along the tines, causes the inherent resiliency of the spring member, because of its distortion due to the different pivotal mounting locations, to restore the tine cleaner to the retracted, inoperative, position.

Generally, the foregoing and other objects are accomplished by pivotally attaching a spring member made of a metallic, elastic wire to the handle of a fork and connecting a tine-cleaner element to the spring member in order that the thumb of the operator may distort the spring and force the tine cleaner along the tine to remove any materials thereon and which spring member will retract the tine cleaner to an inoperative position when pressure on the spring member has been released.

A more complete appreciation of the invention and many of the attendant advantages thereof will be readily apparent as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein like numerals represent the same or similar elements:

FIG. 1 is a top view of an embodiment of the instant invention;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an isometric view of a portion of the invention shown in FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 4 is a top view of a preferred alternative embodiment of the instant invention;

FIG. 5 is a side view at the embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is an isometric view of a portion of the invention as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5;

FIG. 7 is a side view of a portion of an alternative embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 8 is a rear view of the portion of the invention shown in FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is an isometric view of the portion of the invention shown in FIGS. 7 and 8;

FIG. I0 is a side view of a further alternative embodiment of a portion of the instant invention;

FIG. 11 is a rear view of the portion of the invention shown in FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is an isometric view of the portion of the instant invention shown in FIGS. 10 and 11;

FIG. 13 is a side view of still another embodiment of a portion of the instant invention;

FIG. 14 is a rear view of the alternative embodiment of the instant invention shown in FIG. 13;

FIG. 15 is an isometric view of the portion of the alternative embodiment of the instant invention shown in FIGS. 13 and 14;

FIG. 16 is a side view of a still further embodiment of the instant invention;

FIG. 17 is a rear view of the portion of the embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 16;

FIG. 18 is an isometric view of the portion of the embodiment of the invention shown in FIGS. 16 and 17;

FIG. 19 is a side view of another alternative embodiment of a portion of the instant invention;

FIG. 20 is a rear view of the portion of the invention shown in FIG. 19; and I FIG. 21 is an isometric view of the portion of the instant invention shown in FIGS. 19 and 20.

Referring now to the drawings and, more particularly, to FIGS. 1 through 3 wherein the instant invention fork 10 is shown to have handle 12 with blade 14 extending from one end thereof. Blade 14 includes tines 16 at the end thereof as is conventional for forks of the nature of fork 10. Handle 12 is provided with an outwardly and forwardly extending arm 18 for mounting of the resilient or spring member 20 thereon. Apertures 22 and 24 are spaced from one another and receive the free ends of spring member 20 as will be more fully understood hereinafter. Tine cleaner 28 is generally of a loop configuration that fits around tines 16 and has tine-cleaner link 30 extending rearwardly from loop 28 toward handle 12 and spring member 20.

As best seen in FIG. 3, spring member 20 includes attachment arm 32 which fits, for pivotal movement, in aperture 22. Straight section 34 of spring member 20 connects with are 36 that forms into another straight section 38 which is then bent to form upright 40. Crossbar 42 connects upright 40 with second upright or vertical 44 which has its end bent inwardly to form second attachment arm 46. Spring member 20 is generally made of a metallic wire material that is elastic and distortable, such as stainless steel. The wire material has an inherent resiliency that, due to the deformation of spring member 20 and the stress therein which is caused by the different pivotal mountings of free ends 32 and 46, will effect return of spring member 20 to its original or normal configuration prior to application of pressure on are 36.

Tine-cleaner link 30 extends rearwardly toward handle 12 and is bent downwardly to form tine-cleaner link arm 48 having connector portion 50 with aperture 52 therethrough. Aperture 52 permits connector portion 50 to be pivotally attached to spring member 20 over crossbar 42.

As is conventional with serving forks and forks used in cooking and outdoor grilling, handle 12 may be provided with opening 54 permitting hanging thereof from a peg or some projection.

Referring now to FIGS. 4 through 6 wherein a preferred alternative embodiment of the instant invention is shown. The basic structure of the fork includes handle 12, blade I4 and tines 16, as well as, tine-cleaner loop 28 and tine-cleaner link 30 which are substantially identical to those of the embodiment of the instant invention shown in FIGS. 1 through 3. A spring member, generally designated by the numeral 60 in FIGS. 4 through 6, is made of a resilient, but substantially rigid, wire bent to a configuration more easily observed by reference to FIG. 6. It is to be noted that apertures 22 and 24 are located in handle 12 and are spaced a distance from one another to establish resilience in spring member 60 upon distortion thereof.

Spring member 60 includes a first attachment arm 62 at one free end of the wire which is bent to form upright 64. The wire is further bent to form loop 66 connecting upright 64 with in termediate length 68 which connects with a substantially rectangular, three-sided section of the wire including first side 70, back portion or thumb-bar 72 and second side 74 that is parallel with first side 70. The wire of spring member 60 is bent downwardly to form vertical 76 connecting second side 74 with second attachment arm 78 at the other free end of spring member 60. Attachment arms 62 and 78 fit in apertures 22 and 24, respectively, and permit pivotal movement of spring member 60 with respect to blade 14 and handle 12. Tine-cleaner link 30 is bent to form arm 56 having loop 58 at the end thereof. Loop 58 on arm 56 of tine-cleaner link 30 and loop 66 of spring member 60 are interconnected to provide a pivotal positive connection between spring member 60 and tine-cleaner link 30.

FIGS. 7 through 9 show an alternative embodiment of the instant invention. Spring member 80 is shown to be substantially similar to spring member 60, but with a slight modification of the configuration. Attachment arm 62 and upright 64 .are the same as in the embodiment of the instant invention shown in FIGS. 4 through 6. However, loop 82 is of a different configuration and connects upright 64 with intermediate length 84 that connects with first side 70. The remaining configuration of spring 80 is identical to that in the previously described embodiment. Similarly to the hereinabove described embodiments, attachment arms 62 and 78 are inserted in apertures 22 and 24 respectively, for pivotally mounting spring member 80 from handle 12.

Referring to the embodiment of the invention shown in FIGS. through 12 wherein alternative spring member 90 is shown to include attachment arm 62 and upright 64 which is bent at 92 at a slight angle to connect with bend 94. Bend 94 is utilized rather than a loop in the previous configurations of the spring members. Bend 94 connectsupright 64 with crossover intermediate length 96 that is bent to connect with a substantially horizontal section to provide return crossover section 98 that connects with first side 70. Thumb-bar 72, second side 74 which is connected with vertical 76, and second attachment arm 78 are as in previous embodiments. Attachment arms 62 and 78 are pivotally mounted in handle 12 by use of apertures 22 and 24, respectively, to permit retraction of tine-cleaner loop 28 to an inoperative position.

FIGS. 13 through show a further alternative embodiment of a spring member, 100, of the instant invention. It is to be noted that this embodiment is substantially similar to the embodiment of FIGS. 10 through 12. However, crossover intermediate length 96 is connected with second side portion 74 of the substantially rectangular, three-sided section of spring member 100. Thumb-bar 72 and first side portion 70 are connected with second side portion 74 as in the previous embodiment, with first side portion 70 connecting with return crossover section 102 that is bent downwardly to form vertical 76 that is bent at its free end to form attachment arm 78.

FIGS. 16 through 18 show still another embodiment of the instant invention wherein an alternative arrangement is shown as spring member 110. First attachment arm 112 is bent to form upright 114 that is connected with diagonal crossover section 116 that connects with upwardly extending straight section 118. Bend 120 connects with straight section 118 and receives loop 58 on arm 56 of tine-cleaner link 30. Bend 120 extends to straight section 122 that connects with first side portion 124 on the substantially rectangular, three-sided section of spring member 110. First side portion 124 connects with thumb-bar 126 that connects with second side portion 128 of the three-sided, rectangular section of spring member 110. Adjacent second side portion 128, the wire from which spring member 110 is made, is bent downwardly to provide vertical section 130 and is then bent inwardly to form second attachment arm 132 at the other free end of the wire. As in previously described embodiments, attachment arms 112 and 132 are respectively inserted into apertures or bores 22 and 24 in handle l2.

Referring now to FIGS. 19 through 21 wherein a further alternative embodiment of a portion of the instant invention, spring member 140, is shown to include first attachment arm 142 connected to upright section 144. First side portion 146 connects with thumb-bar portion 148 that connects with second side portion 150 to form the substantially rectangular, three-sided, rearwardly extending section of spring member 140. Second side portion 150 connects with upright, straight section 152 that is adjacent bend section 154 which provides a location for connection of loop 58 on arm 56 of tine-cleaner link 30. Bend section 154 connects with straightsection 156 that connects with diagonal crossover 158 that connects with 'vertical portion 160. Vertical portion 160 terminates at the other free end of the wire-forming attachment arm 162 of spring member 140.

OPERATION left hand, on arcuate thumb section 36. When it is desired to remove anything held on tines 16 of fork 10, it is merely necessary for the user to apply pressure with the thumb to force thumb section 36 downwardly toward handle 12. This action causes spring member 20 to be distorted and forces crossbar 42 and tine-cleaner link 30 forward so that loop 28 slides along tines 16 and forces the material therefrom. Upon release of the pressure on thumb section 36 of spring member 20, the inherent resilience of the wire from which the spring is made causes spring member 20 to return to its original configuration. This action causes return of tine cleaner 28 to a retracted, inoperative, position. The resilience and distortion of spring member 20 are accomplished by the inherent properties of the wire material and the pivotal mounting of attachment arms 62 and 78 in the spaced and offset apertures 22 and 24, respectively.

The alternative embodiment of the instant inventive fork shown in FIGS. 4 through 6 operates similar to that of the embodiment of FIGS. 1 through 3. Tine-cleaner loop 28 fits over tines 16 and is connected by tine-cleaner link 30 to spring member 60 which is pivotally mounted to handle 12 by attachment arms 62 and 78 being located in apertures 22 and 24, respectively. As noted hereinabove, loop 58 on arm 56 of link 30 fits in loop 66 of spring member 60 to provide a pivotal but positive connection between spring member 60 and tinecleaner loop 28. Similarly to the above-described operation, the fork is held by handle 12 in either the left or right hand of the user, locating the thumb on thumb-bar 72. When it is desired to remove material held by tines 16, it is merely necessary for the user to apply pressure in a forward direction, toward tines 16, with the thumb of the hand in which handle 12 is held. After the food or other material has been removed from tines 16 by loop 28, the user merely releases the'thumb pressure on thumb-bar 72 and the resilience of spring member 60 causes retraction of tine-cleaner loop 28 to its inoperative position adjacent the forward portion of handle 12.

The alternative embodiments of the instant invention shown in FIGS. 7 through 12 operate identically to that of the embodiment of FIGS. 4 through 6.

Thus, it is seen that the instant invention provides a novel fork that is easily and completely sterilized. Furthermore, the instant invention provides a fork which is easily maintained and that can be operated by one hand. The instant fork has great aesthetic appeal and is operated with a minimum effort by use of only one hand, that in which the fork is being held.

Obviously, many modifications and variations of the subject invention are possible in light of the above teachings. It is, therefore, to be understood that within the scope of the appended claims the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described.

What is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent of the United States is:

l. A mechanical device comprising: a fork having a handle and blade; a plurality of tines extending from said blade; tinecleaner means fitting over said tines for cleaning thereof; and resilient means connected to said tine-cleaner means and having free ends pivotally mounted to said handle at different points for retracting said tine-cleaner means to an inoperative position, whereby pressure on said resilient means effects distortion thereof to advance said tine-cleaner means along said tines and the resiliency of said resilient means, because of the deformation thereof due to the different pivotal mounting points, effects retraction of said tine-cleaner means to an inoperative position upon release of the pressure on said resilient means.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein said resilient means comprises: a wire of material having elastic, but distortable and resilient qualities, whereby said wire may be distorted and will return to its original configuration upon release of stresses established by the distortion; said wire having a configuration including attachment arms at said free ends, a thumb-bar and a section for connection to said tine-cleaner means.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein said resilient means has a configuration including: a first attachment arm at one of said free ends; an upright section adjacent said first attachment arm; a loop section for connection of said tine-cleaner means; said loop section connecting said upright section and an intermediate length; a substantially rectangular, three-sided section adjacent said intermediate length; a vertical section adjacent said three-sided section; and an attachment arm adjacent said vertical section at the other of said free ends of said wire.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein said resilient means comprises: an elastic wire having a first attachment arm at one of said free ends; a bent upright section adjacent said first attachment arm; a crossover section; a bend section connecting said bent upright section and said crossover section for attachment of said tine-cleaner means; a substantially rectangular, three-sided section having first and second side portions connected by a thumb-bar; a return crossover section connecting said crossover section to said first side portion; and a vertical section connected to said second side portion and terminating at an inwardly directed second attachment arm at the other of said free ends.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein said resilient means comprises: an elastic wire having an inwardly directed first at tachment arm at one of said free ends; a bent upright section adjacent said first attachment arm; a crossover section; a bend section connecting said bent upright section and said crossover section for attachment of said tine-cleaner means; a substantially rectangular, three-sided section having first and second side portions connected by a thumb-bar; said crossover section connected to said second side portion; a return crossover section connected to said first side portion; and a vertical section connected to said return crossover section and terminating at an inwardly directed second attachment arm at the other end of said free ends.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein said resilient means comprises: an elastic, distortable wire having an inwardly directed first attachment arm atone of said free ends; an upright section connected with said first attachment arm; a crossover section; a bend section for attachment of said tine-cleaner means; another straight section connected with said straight section by said bend section; a substantially rectangular, three-sided section having first and second side portions connected by a thumb-bar; said another straight section connected to said first side portion; a vertical section connected to said second side portion; and an inwardly directed second attachment arm connected to said vertical section.

7. The device of claim 1 wherein said resilient means comprises: an elastic, distortable wire having an inwardly directed first attachment arm at one of said free ends; an upright section connected to said first attachment arm; a substantially rectangular, three-sided section having first and second side portions connected by a thumb-bar; said upright section connected to said first portion; a first straight section connected to said second side portion; a second straight section connected to said first straight section by a bend section for attachment of said tine-cleaner means; a crossover section connected to said second straight section; and a vertical section connected to said crossover section and terminating in an inwardly directed second attachment arm at the other of said free ends.

8. The device of claim 7 wherein said resilient means includes two free ends; an arm on said handle extending upwardly from said handle and forwardly toward said tines; a pair of spaced apertures in said arm; and said free ends pivotally mounted in said apertures in said arm.

9. The device of claim 8 wherein said resilient means comprises: an elastic, distortable wire bent to a configuration having an inwardly directed attachment arm at one of said free ends; a straight portion connected to said attachment arm; a second straight portion connected to said first straight portion by an arcuate portion; an upright section connected to said second straight portion; a crossover section connected to said upright section for attachment of said tine-cleaner means; a vertical section connected to said crossover section and terminating'in an inwardly directed second attachment arm at the other of said free ends. 

1. A mechanical device comprising: a fork having a handle and blade; a plurality of tines extending from said blade; tinecleaner means fitting over said tines for cleaning thereof; and resilient means connected to said tine-cleaner means and having free ends pivotally mounted to said handle at different points for retracting said tine-cleaner means to an inoperative position, whereby pressure on said resilient means effects distortion thereof to advance said tine-cleaner means along said tines and the resiliency of said resilient means, because of the deformation thereof due to the different pivotal mounting points, effects retraction of said tine-cleaner means to an inoperative position upon release of the pressure on said resilient means.
 2. The device of claim 1, wherein said resilient means comprises: a wire of material having elastic, but distortable and resilient qualities, whereby said wire may be distorted and will return to its original configuration upon release of stresses established by the distortion; said wire having a configuration including attachment arms at said free ends, a thumb-bar and a section for connection to said tine-cleaner means.
 3. The device of claim 1, wherein said resilient means has a configuration including: a first attachment arm at one of said free ends; an upright section adjacent said first attachment arm; a loop section for connection of said tine-cleaner means; said loop section connecting said upright section and an intermediate length; a substantially rectangular, three-sided section adjacent said intermediate length; a vertical section adjacent said three-sided section; and an attachment arm adjacent said vertical section at the other of said free ends of said wire.
 4. The device of claim 1, wherein said resilient means comprises: an elastic wire having a first attachment arm at one of said free ends; a bent upright section adjacent said first attachment arm; a crossover section; a bend section connecting said bent upright section and said crossover section for attachment of said tine-cleaner means; a substantially rectangular, three-sided section having first and second side portions connected by a thumb-bar; a return crossover section connecting said crossover section to said first side portion; and a vertical section connected to said second side portion and terminating at an inwardly directed second attachment arm at the other of said free ends.
 5. The device of claim 1, wherein said resilient means comprises: an elastic wire having an inwardly directed first attachment arm at one of said free ends; a bent upright section adjacent said first attachment arm; a crossover section; a bend section connecting said bent upright section and said crossover section for attachment of said tine-cleaner means; a substantially rectangular, three-sided section having first and second side portions connected by a thumb-bar; said crossover section connected to said second side portion; a return crossover section connected to said first side portion; and a vertical section connected to said return croSsover section and terminating at an inwardly directed second attachment arm at the other end of said free ends.
 6. The device of claim 1, wherein said resilient means comprises: an elastic, distortable wire having an inwardly directed first attachment arm at one of said free ends; an upright section connected with said first attachment arm; a crossover section; a bend section for attachment of said tine-cleaner means; another straight section connected with said straight section by said bend section; a substantially rectangular, three-sided section having first and second side portions connected by a thumb-bar; said another straight section connected to said first side portion; a vertical section connected to said second side portion; and an inwardly directed second attachment arm connected to said vertical section.
 7. The device of claim 1 wherein said resilient means comprises: an elastic, distortable wire having an inwardly directed first attachment arm at one of said free ends; an upright section connected to said first attachment arm; a substantially rectangular, three-sided section having first and second side portions connected by a thumb-bar; said upright section connected to said first portion; a first straight section connected to said second side portion; a second straight section connected to said first straight section by a bend section for attachment of said tine-cleaner means; a crossover section connected to said second straight section; and a vertical section connected to said crossover section and terminating in an inwardly directed second attachment arm at the other of said free ends.
 8. The device of claim 7 wherein said resilient means includes two free ends; an arm on said handle extending upwardly from said handle and forwardly toward said tines; a pair of spaced apertures in said arm; and said free ends pivotally mounted in said apertures in said arm.
 9. The device of claim 8 wherein said resilient means comprises: an elastic, distortable wire bent to a configuration having an inwardly directed attachment arm at one of said free ends; a straight portion connected to said attachment arm; a second straight portion connected to said first straight portion by an arcuate portion; an upright section connected to said second straight portion; a crossover section connected to said upright section for attachment of said tine-cleaner means; a vertical section connected to said crossover section and terminating in an inwardly directed second attachment arm at the other of said free ends. 